Rajasthan and Uttarakhand face power deficit warning for August
The Northern Regional Power Committee (NRPC) has flagged significant resource adequacy gaps across several northern states for August 2026, with Rajasthan projected to face a shortfall of about 5,140 MW during non-solar hours and Uttarakhand a peak deficit of around 360 MW. The assessment indicates that limited advance procurement could leave states dependent on short-term markets to meet demand, particularly during evening and night hours.
According to NRPC’s resource adequacy assessment for August 2026, Rajasthan’s 5,140 MW gap recurs through most of the month. The Northern Regional Load Despatch Centre (NRLDC) has cautioned that relying on power exchanges to cover a deficit of this scale during non-solar hours carries risk because market liquidity is typically limited during these periods.
Rajasthan gap
Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited (RUVITL) has arranged 441 MW for 00:00–07:00 hrs, 241 MW for 07:00–19:00 hrs and 441 MW for 19:00–24:00 hrs for August. Rajasthan State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) subsequently reported an additional tie-up of 1,268 MW, comprising approximately 1,000 MW of round-the-clock supply and the balance for non-solar hours.
The SLDC indicated that any remaining shortfall would be met through procurement from the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) and Real-Time Market (RTM), depending on requirements. NRLDC, however, recommended prioritising advance bilateral contracts, stating that “the short-term market is unlikely to absorb a gap of this size during non-solar hours.”
Uttarakhand gap
Uttarakhand is projected to face a peak resource gap of around 360 MW during non-solar hours across most of August, with no material bilateral advance procurement currently in place to cover the deficit. NRLDC also noted that the state has already experienced shortages on several days in recent weeks.
Uttarakhand SLDC reported that the Distribution Company (DISCOM) has sought 200 MW from the unallocated power share and approached the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) for approval of long-duration contracts. The Member Secretary (MS), NRPC expressed concern over the situation and directed the SLDC to plan power requirements in advance, including taking up the operation of gas-based generating units with the DISCOM and making firm arrangements to avoid shortages.
Other states
Punjab’s assessment shows a 3,690 MW deficit during solar hours, although the state remains surplus overall. Existing bilateral contracts average around 2,350 MW and cover only part of the requirement, prompting NRLDC to recommend additional advance procurement.
Delhi faces a 460 MW deficit during non-solar hours. Bilateral contracts averaging around 1,940 MW provide partial coverage, but a residual shortfall remains during evening and night blocks. Haryana has a 1,230 MW non-solar-hour deficit, with bilateral contracts averaging around 410 MW providing partial coverage, while Himachal Pradesh faces a 200 MW deficit during non-solar hours with no material bilateral advance procurement currently scheduled against the gap.
NRPC has also identified inconsistencies in demand forecasts submitted by Punjab and Haryana for the last week of August when compared with historical trends from 2024 and 2025. The respective SLDCs have agreed to review the forecasts and submit revised data.
Under the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) 2023, SLDCs are required to estimate and ensure resource adequacy. NRLDC’s August 2026 assessment for northern region states indicates elevated adequacy gaps, particularly during non-solar hours, increasing the need for advance and firm power arrangements rather than dependence on short-term procurement.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
